franchise development

Playa Bowls Names New Chief Executive Officer

by Katie Lee April 12, 2023

Belmar, N.J. — Playa Bowls, a leading superfruit bowl shop, has appointed Dan Harmon as its new chief executive officer. As CEO, Harmon will leverage his extensive industry experience to accelerate the company’s overall growth strategies and performance. He succeeds Playa Bowls’ co-founder Rob Giuliani, who will remain engaged in the business as chief innovation officer and continue to play a critical role in Playa Bowls’ strategic development. “Harmon has an exceptional reputation for exceeding business objectives and franchisee relationships in the restaurant industry and will be a valuable asset …

April 12, 2023

franchise development News restaurants

Bobby’s Burgers by Bobby Flay to Open First Restaurants in Chicago

by Katie Lee April 6, 2023

Chicago — Bobby’s Burgers by Bobby Flay is coming to the Windy City. Intelligration Capital BB, LLC (ICBB), the licensor and franchisor company for Bobby’s Burgers, has finalized the brand’s first franchise deal to propel the brand’s footprint across the neighborhoods of Chicagoland. Notably, the multi-unit agreement is introducing the ultimate burger experience to a new market while debuting Bobby’s Burgers’ first traditional, streetside restaurant model. The openings will bring an approachable Bobby Flay dining experience to all while maintaining a menu curated using only the highest quality ingredients. Well …

April 6, 2023

construction and design franchise development News restaurants

Smashburger Unveils Virtual Drive-Thru Design in Houston

by Katie Lee April 4, 2023

Denver — Smashburger, a leading fast-casual restaurant chain known for its smashed-to-order-burgers, has launched its first Virtual Drive-Thru located at the newest corporate-owned restaurant in Houston. An extension of the traditional drive-thru experience, the Virtual Drive-Thru allows customers to seamlessly place an order online or through the Smashburger app, then pull through the designated parking lane where their food will be delivered to the driver by a Smashburger team member. First introduced at the beginning of 2022, the Virtual Drive-Thru prototype, coupled with Smashburger’s refreshed kitchen design, reinforces the brand’s …

April 4, 2023

franchise development News restaurants

Bruxie to Open its First Georgia Location in Athens

by Katie Lee April 4, 2023

Athens, Ga. — Bruxie, an up-and-coming Southern California-based fast-casual concept known for its waffle sandwiches, chicken tenders and custard shakes, is set to open its first Georgia restaurant this spring in the Classic City. The Athens location will operate across from the University of Georgia campus, bringing Bruxie’s cool vibe to students, faculty and locals. “Athens is home to champions, and when you win back-to-back national football titles, we will build a Bruxie in your town — with winning recipes and menu items unlike anything else,” says Brett Gibson, operating …

April 4, 2023

franchise development News restaurants

Mountain Mike’s Pizza Plans 5 New Restaurants in Las Vegas Area

by Katie Lee March 27, 2023

Newport Beach, Calif. — Mountain Mike’s Pizza, LLC, a leading California-based family-style pizza chain for more than 40 years, has inked a development deal that will bring five new Mountain Mike’s locations to greater Las Vegas by 2027. The new deal was signed by longtime Mountain Mike’s franchisees Dalvir Janjua, Kamaljit Singh and Manpreet Rai, who currently own and operate two Mountain Mike’s Pizza restaurants in Reno, Nev., and another location in Stockton, Calif. The first of the new Las Vegas-area restaurants is slated to open by early 2024. With …

March 27, 2023

franchise development News restaurants

CRISP & GREEN Opening First Arkansas Location in April

by Katie Lee March 24, 2023

Minneapolis — On the heels of inking its largest development deal to date, STEELE BRANDS®, a Minnesota-based company that establishes and develops healthy lifestyle restaurants, will debut its CRISP & GREEN® concept in Arkansas this spring. The healthy fast-casual brand is slated to open in Bentonville in April, marking the first of five CRISP & GREEN restaurants planned for the state. The Bentonville location will catapult CRISP & GREEN into its busiest year to date, in which it is expected to more than double its restaurant count across 15 states …

March 24, 2023

franchise development News restaurants

Shipley Do-Nuts Opens First Georgia Location

by Katie Lee March 22, 2023

Houston — Shipley Do-Nuts, makers of gourmet, made-fresh-daily do-nuts for more than 85 years, is bringing its famous do-nuts to Georgia for the first time with the opening of its new location in Cumming at 3225 Keith Bridge Rd. The shop is locally owned and operated by Oziel “Ozzie” Rodriguez, who also owns Coal Mountain Package Store and Palapas Bar and Grill in Forsyth County, Ga. Houston-based Shipley Do-Nuts is beloved throughout the South for its more than 60 varieties of fresh, hot do-nuts, as well as kolaches (savory breakfast …

March 22, 2023

Cover Story franchise development retailers

Unlimited Access

by Katie Lee March 22, 2023

— By Hayden Spiess — Wild Birds Unlimited offers backyard bird feeding retail for an increasingly diverse customer base, with a growing flock of franchised locations. Jim Carpenter’s aspirations were not always avian in nature. The founder and CEO of Wild Birds Unlimited originally had his sights set on medical school. However, in 1981 he pivoted, opening the first Wild Birds Unlimited store in Indianapolis, driven by a passion for nature and birding. This same passion unites Wild Bird Unlimited store owners, managers and customers across the …

March 22, 2023

franchise development News people restaurants

GPS Hospitality Announces Promotion to Region Vice President

by Katie Lee March 22, 2023

Atlanta — GPS Hospitality, one of the nation’s fastest-growing BURGER KING®, POPEYES® Louisiana Kitchen and Pizza Hut franchisees, has promoted Nick Myhre to region vice president. In his new capacity, Myhre will oversee the operations of 41 restaurants in Northwest Georgia and Chattanooga, building on his impressive record of success within the company. Myhre joined GPS as a district leader in April 2016. Under his leadership, Myhre’s district went from last place in the company to become the top performer in 2019. He was named district leader of the year …

March 22, 2023

franchise development News restaurants

Korean Street Food Concept, Jaws TPK, to Open First Location in the Eastern U.S.

by Katie Lee March 20, 2023

Atlanta — Jaws TPK will be opening at Mall Corners in Duluth, Ga., marking the chain’s first location in the Eastern U.S. The growing international brand, which has brought its Korean street food concept to 250 locations in South Korea, has signed a 1,900-square-foot lease to open in third quarter 2023. Daniel Yi, vice president for Ackerman Retail, completed the lease on behalf of Jaws TPK. He is representing franchisor Boxete Group in finding additional locations in metro Atlanta. “This is a great location for Jaws TPK that gives the …

March 20, 2023

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